Pinto Beans Recipe

Perfect Pinto Beans

Ree Drummond's straightforward recipe delivers a richly flavored, tender, and irresistibly creamy pot of pinto beans made from scratch. Imagine the savory aroma filling your kitchen as these hearty beans simmer to perfectionyour new go-to for effortless, crowd-pleasing comfort food.

• Difficulty: Easy
• Servings: 12
• Nutritional Info per Serving (1 of 12 servings): Calories 236, Total Fat 4 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Carbohydrates 38 g, Dietary Fiber 9 g, Sugar 2 g, Protein 14 g, Cholesterol 5 mg, Sodium 197 mg
• Total Time: 11 hr 40 min (includes soaking)
• Active Prep: 10 min

Dried beans are a cost-effective pantry essential that can feed a crowd, though they require more preparation time than canned. As Ree Drummond shows in her easy pinto beans recipe, the extra effort yields profoundly flavorful, tender, and creamy results. Whip up a large batch for a family-style Tex-Mex feast or enjoy them solo with hamusing Ree's simple steps, you'll master cooking pinto beans from scratch, infuse the liquid with bold flavors, craft a robust spice blend, and achieve that irresistible creamy texture. Get ready to ditch canned beans forever!

How to Cook Pinto Beans Like an Expert

• Soak the pinto beans overnight. Cover with cold water and soak overnight for even cooking and shorter simmer time. Drain and rinse well before proceeding.
• Add aromatics for a flavor-packed cooking liquid. Toss in diced onion, red bell pepper, garlic cloves, and bay leaves to build deep, savory notes.
• Season generously with salt and black pepper. Pinto beans love bold seasoningdon't hold back on salt or freshly ground pepper.
• Combine a bold spice mix. Blend ground cumin, cayenne, paprika, and chili powder for the ideal spicy kick; no need for exact measures, just eye it for perfection.
• Include ham for richer taste. Ree uses chopped thick-cut bacon, but ham hocks or diced ham work too. Skip for a vegan version.
• Cook the beans slowly over low heat. Simmer gently for up to 3 hours until tender; the released starch creates a luscious, creamy broth.

Tips for Soaking Beans

Cover dried beans with cold water and soak 8-24 hours at room temperature. This ensures uniform cooking and cuts down simmer timeyour beans will thank you with perfect tenderness.

How Long to Cook Pinto Beans?

After boiling, reduce to a low simmer for 2-3 hours until tender but not mushy. Longer soaks shorten this; older beans may need extra time.

Serving Suggestions

Pair Ree's spicy pinto beans with Rib-Eye Quesadillas and Taco Ranch Side Salad for Tex-Mex magic. They're stellar alongside Beef Tacos, Jalapeo Popper Tacos, Chicken Quesadillas, or Simple Perfect Enchiladas. Serve as a main with rice, tortillas, Skillet Cornbread, or Cheesy Jalapeo Cornbreadpure bliss in every bite.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds pinto beans
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3 thick-cut bacon slices, cut into thirds
• 3 garlic cloves
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Place the beans in a large bowl, cover with cold water, and allow to soak overnight.
2. Drain and rinse the beans thoroughly, then transfer them to a large pot. Add water to cover the beans, then mix in chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne, bacon pieces, garlic cloves, bay leaves, diced onion, diced bell pepper, and season with salt and pepper.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the beans simmer gently until tender, about 2 to 3 1/2 hours.